President Bola Tinubu has generously rewarded Nigeria’s senior national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for their recent success at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.
Each player received $100,000, while the 11-member coaching and technical crew were awarded $50,000 apiece. In addition, all team members and staff were gifted three-bedroom apartments at the Renewed Hope Estate. To further recognise their contribution to national pride, the President also conferred on each of them the prestigious national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
This recognition mirrors the state reception held last week for the Super Falcons, following their record-setting 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Rabat, Morocco.
D’Tigress earned their accolades by securing their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title—and seventh overall—after a commanding 78–64 win over Mali in the final held at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This victory solidified their dominance in African women’s basketball and extended their undefeated streak, which began in 2017.
The celebratory reception took place at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the rewards on behalf of President Tinubu. Attending the event were First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Speaking during the ceremony, Vice President Shettima said: “You have brought great pride to Nigeria. Your excellence on the court has once again put our nation on the global map for sporting greatness.”
He commended the team for their poise under pressure: “My dear daughters, you fought back from behind in the past quarter, not with panic, but with poise.
You wore the green and white not just as clothes, but as a symbol of unity—and now you wear the crown as kings of African basketball for the fifth consecutive time.”
Shettima reserved special praise for Coach Rena Wakama, highlighting her impact on Nigerian sports leadership: “You represent the evolution of leadership in Nigerian sports.
Your quiet strength and historic achievements have shattered ceilings and inspired countless young girls nationwide who now know that no dream is too bold for a Nigerian woman. You indeed deserve your award as the best coach in Africa and the world.”
He also spotlighted standout players Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu for their individual excellence: “To Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Ezinne Kalu, the top scorer in the final, you have elevated the entire team. Most importantly, you did not play for yourselves; you played for and won with Nigeria.”
Reflecting on the broader significance of women in Nigerian sports, he added: “Nigerian women have never failed the nation in sports. From the Super Falcons dominating on the world stage, to our record-breaking athletes on the track, and now building a basketball dynasty, our women have consistently made us proud.
They have shown the world that when opportunity meets preparation, Nigerian excellence is inevitable.”
Shettima also acknowledged the role of sport administrators in this success. He commended the National Sports Commission and the Nigerian Basketball Federation for their support: “On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to extend special appreciation to the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Mallam Alabi. Their renewed focus on athlete welfare, institutional reform, grassroots support, and performance-based development is already yielding results.”
He also gave personal recognition to Malam Ahmadu Musa Kida, Chairman of the Nigerian Basketball Federation and NNPC Limited: “Malam Musa is personally known to me, and I have witnessed the personal resources he has invested in developing basketball in this great nation.”
Announcing the monetary rewards and national honours, the Vice President stated: “National honours will be awarded to the team, coach, and technical staff. Each player will receive $100,000, and the coach and technical team will receive $50,000.”
He concluded: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown leadership by recognising and rewarding our daughters who have excelled on the continental stage.”
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in her remarks, expressed heartfelt pride: “This victory is not just a win on the court; it is a resounding statement of hard work, excellence, and national pride. This is a moment that will forever inspire generations of Nigerian girls and women to dream big, boldly and pursue greatness.”
She praised the values that led to the team’s triumph: “It is a clear indication that hard work and teamwork are what it takes to succeed.”
She continued: “Your victory comes at a time when Nigeria is basking in the glory of sporting excellence following the Super Falcons’ recent victory. We haven’t really gotten over that, and then this one. We are so glad to be able to celebrate you as well.”
Speaking on behalf of the team, Amy Okonkwo offered words of gratitude: “Mr. President, represented by the Vice President, our dear mother. I just want to say, on behalf of the D’Tigress, that we are so, so, so, so thankful to be here today.”
She added: “I’m thankful that we get to represent our country. We’re thankful to be able to continue our excellence and support the gift that God gave us.”
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, applauded the team’s historic win and its broader impact: “I stood here last Monday with pride and profound joy to celebrate yet another glorious chapter in the history of Nigerian sports, courtesy of our exceptional women’s football team, Super Falcons.”
